The sun was high over Green Willow Village, casting a warm glow on the familiar thatched roofs and the verdant fields beyond. Zhang Liwei, now fifteen, walked the familiar path leading to his family home.

A year had passed since the bandit attack that shook the village, and since then, Liwei had retreated to the Amethyst Heart Mountain, delving deeper into his cultivation journey. His days were spent in relentless training, stabilizing his realm at the newly attained cultivation stage. He had also honed his martial techniques and delved into the intricate art of Spiritual Alchemy. His success in concocting Inferior-grade medicines had improved, though the process remained fraught with the risk of failure from the slightest lapse in concentration.

As he neared his house, a familiar cry pierced the air, quickening Liwei's steps. Concern etched on his face, he hastened towards the source. Bursting through the door, Liwei was met with an unusual scene of familial discord.

His family was gathered around the modest wooden table in their humble living room. Zhang Ning was at the center, tears streaming down her cheeks, her sobs echoing through the small space. His parents, Zhang Jian and Liu Mei, looked on with a mix of concern and helplessness, their attempts to console their daughter seemingly futile.

"Ningning!" Liwei called out, his voice a blend of worry and relief.

Upon hearing her brother's voice, Zhang Ning's tear-streaked face turned towards him, and she ran into his arms, her cries intensifying. "Brother!" she sobbed, clinging to him.

Liwei hugged her tightly, a soothing presence amidst her turmoil. "What happened, Ning?" he asked gently, looking into her swollen eyes.

Between sobs, Zhang Ning managed to articulate her fears. "Father and Mother... they want me out!" she cried, her voice laced with disbelief and hurt.

Liwei's heart sank at her words, but he couldn't help but wear a bitter smile. He knew their parents' love was deep and unwavering. This had to be a misunderstanding. Gently patting his sister's back, he reassured her. "Don't worry, Sister. I'm here now. We'll sort this out together."

Zhang Ning nodded, her tearful gaze shifting briefly to their parents, who wore expressions of pained surprise.

Turning to his parents, Liwei scratched his head, a gesture of unease mixed with affection. "Father, Mother, how have you been?" His tone was apologetic. "I'm sorry for being away for so long, focused solely on my cultivation."

Zhang Liwei’s parents welcomed him with warm, relieved smiles, their faces lighting up at the sight of their son. The worry that had etched deep lines on their foreheads seemed to dissolve, replaced by a joy that radiated from their eyes. They had missed him terribly, their hearts heavy with concern since he had departed soon after the traumatic bandit attack. But now, seeing him standing before them, looking robust, matured, and brimming with a quiet determination, their fears ebbed away.

Once the initial emotional reunion settled, Liwei broached the subject that had caused such distress. “Father, Mother, what happened? Why was Ning crying like that?”

His parents exchanged a glance, a wordless language passing between them. Finally, his mother spoke, her voice soft. "She's getting older, Liwei," she said, her hands clasped in her lap. "Thirteen... it's time to think about these things."

Liwei frowned. "What things?"

His father cleared his throat. "Marriage, son. Ning's beauty…" he paused, a touch of pride and worry in his eyes, "coupled with your lineage… well, the matchmakers have been circling like buzzards."

Liwei blinked, surprised. He hadn't realized how quickly time had flown. "Matchmakers?"

"Many," his mother confirmed, her voice laced with a tinge of regret. "From Green Willow and beyond. Word travels fast, particularly about a young maiden with a cultivator brother."

It seemed that Zhang Ning’s beauty, coupled with the prestige of having a cultivator brother, had made her a sought-after candidate for marriage in these rural communities.

Liwei mulled this over, a strange mix of emotions churning within him. "Marriage…" he echoed, the word sounding foreign on his tongue. "She's just a child, isn't she?"

His parents exchanged another look, this one carrying a weight of tradition and societal expectations. "At thirteen," his mother began, then sighed. "In these parts, daughters start thinking about settling down. Starting a family."

In their world, it was customary for women aged between thirteen to sixteen and men between seventeen to twenty-one to consider marriage and starting a family.

Liwei's gaze drifted to the tearful sister. He recalled her fiery spirit, her boundless energy. Could he truly imagine her, the girl who could outclimb any tree and outrun any dog, tied down to the duties of a wife and mother?

As they spoke, Liwei pieced together the scenario that had unfolded. His sister’s distress was not a result of any decision made by their parents, but rather from the overwhelming attention and expectations that came with the matchmakers' visits. His parents had merely been inquiring about her thoughts on the matter, and Zhang Ning, at her tender age, was understandably upset. The notion of marriage, of transitioning into the life of a wife and a mother, was far from her mind.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Liwei sighed, a mix of understanding and concern. He knew too well the weight of expectations and the yearning for a life dictated by one’s own choices. Turning towards his parents, he nodded with determination. “I’ll talk to Ning,” he assured them. “Don’t worry, I might be able to help her.”

Zhang Jian placed a reassuring hand on Liwei's shoulder, gratitude shining in his eyes. “Thank you, Liwei. You always know how to reach her,” he said, his voice filled with a father’s relief.

Taking Zhang Ning’s hands gently, Liwei led her outside, away from the confines of the house and the heaviness of the discussion. They walked in silence towards the familiar stream, a place woven with countless memories of their childhood. It was a sanctuary of sorts, where the gentle babble of the water and the rustling leaves brought a sense of peace and clarity.

As they walked, Liwei could feel the tension in Zhang Ning’s grip, her emotions still a tumultuous whirlwind. He knew that this conversation required not just the wisdom of a brother, but the empathy of a friend who understood the importance of choosing one’s own path. The stream, with its steady flow and unchanging presence, seemed the perfect backdrop for the unfolding heart-to-heart.

As the gentle currents of the stream murmured beside them, Zhang Liwei turned to his sister, his expression soft yet earnest. "Sister, tell me, what concerns you most about the idea of marriage?" he asked, genuinely seeking to understand her worries.

Zhang Ning hesitated for a moment, her eyes reflecting the turmoil within. "I'm too young, Brother," she finally said, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "I'm not ready for such heavy responsibilities. And there's the dowry... I don't want to burden our family with that."

Liwei listened, his heart aching for her. "Ning'er, remember this—it's your life, and your voice matters the most," he said, his tone reassuring. "You should decide when and whom you wish to marry. And don't worry about the dowry." He offered her a confident smile. "With my advancements in cultivation and alchemy, I can gather Spiritual Herbs, concoct medicines... I can ensure our family is well-provided for. The dowry will not be a concern."

Zhang Ning's eyes widened as she looked up at her brother, always so dependable and admirable. She ran into his arms, her gratitude overflowing. "Thank you, Brother," she whispered, relief washing over her. Though she knew marriage was an eventual part of her journey, the thought of making such a significant decision weighed heavily on her young shoulders.

Liwei chuckled softly, hugging her back. "And I plan to be there, helping you choose the right groom," he added, half-jokingly but with a protective edge. "I won't let any man make you cry or hurt you." His tone was light, but his resolve was firm.

Zhang Ning laughed, her spirits lifting. "If you're that strict, I might end up alone forever!" she teased, the tension in her voice easing.

As the afternoon sun began its descent towards the horizon, the siblings made their way back home, their hearts lighter and smiles gracing their faces. Their parents, seeing Zhang Ning's renewed happiness, felt a profound relief.

Liwei cleared his throat, his gaze steady. "There's no need to worry about the dowry, Mother, Father. I'll take care of it. With my cultivation and alchemical skills, I can earn enough for a grand wedding befitting of Ningning!"

His parents looked at him with a mixture of pride and wonder. "What good deeds did we do in our past lives to be blessed with such a son?" they mused, their eyes shimmering with unspoken gratitude.

The family reached a consensus, agreeing that Zhang Ning should have the freedom to choose when and whom she would marry. They would stand by her side, offering support and guidance in this pivotal decision of her life.

Later that night, in the solitude of his room, Liwei gazed out the window at the starlit sky, a rare glint of determination in his eyes. "I wasn't joking about the groom selection," he murmured to himself, his thoughts a blend of brotherly love and the protective instinct that had grown stronger with his cultivation journey. As he prepared for bed, his mind was already planning how he would ensure his sister's future happiness, a responsibility he embraced wholeheartedly.

The following morning, as the first rays of the sun kissed the horizon, Zhang Liwei was surprised to find Li Hua waiting outside his family's home. Her presence brought a smile to his face, a blend of nostalgia and warmth.

"Li Hua," he greeted, his eyes lighting up. "What brings you here so early?"

Li Hua, her eyes reflecting a mix of resolve and nervousness, asked Liwei to join her at the nearby flower fields. Curious, Liwei agreed, intrigued by her sudden request.

Together, they walked through the village, eventually reaching the flower field. It was a beautiful sight—a tapestry of wildflowers in vibrant hues, interspersed with ancient willow trees whose branches swayed gently in the morning breeze.

In the midst of this serene landscape, Li Hua turned to Liwei, her expression serious yet gentle. "Liwei, I wanted to thank you," she began, her voice soft. "For saving me during the bandit attack. But... I've been carrying this guilt, seeing how tormented you were, taking a life to protect me."

Liwei listened, his heart touched by her concern. With a gentle smile, he reassured her, "Li Hua, it's okay. It was a difficult time, but you weren't to blame. That experience taught me an important lesson." He patted her shoulder affirmingly. "You're my friend, and I'll always be there to protect you."

Li Hua's cheeks flushed slightly, and she hesitated before asking a question that seemed to linger in her heart. "Liwei, what... what do you think of me?"

Liwei, taken aback by the question, understood the implications. He had always found Li Hua sweet and kind, and growing up together had fostered a deep fondness. Yet, as a cultivator, his life was one of relentless pursuit and self-discipline. His path was clear, and it diverged from the simpler, more domestic life Li Hua might seek.

In those brief moments, Liwei made a decision—one he believed was best for them both. Looking into her eyes with a gentle sincerity, he said, "Li Hua, you're a good friend, and I wish nothing but the best for you in life."

Li Hua's eyes held a glimmer of understanding, a soft sigh escaping her lips. She was fifteen now, the age when thoughts of marriage began to surface in the village. Hiding the sadness that flickered briefly in her gaze, she smiled at Liwei. "Thank you, Liwei. I'll always be rooting for you, and I wish you luck in your endeavors."

The week that followed was a blend of family time and visits to Master Yan for guidance. Liwei cherished these moments, the ties of kinship and disciple-master relationship grounding him amidst his cultivation journey.

When the time came for him to return to the Amethyst Heart Mountain, he did so with a heart full of mixed emotions—a resolve to advance in his cultivation path and a commitment to care for those he held dear.

He planned to take breaks from his rigorous training to gather rare materials, not only for his sister's dowry but also as a wedding gift for Li Hua, his childhood friend. In this way, he hoped to honor the different paths they were destined to walk, yet remain connected through the bonds of friendship and shared memories.